'He won't go down without a fight': Zimbabwe facing uncertain future as Robert Mugabe resists calls to step down

Robert Mugabe stands alongside army chief General Constantino Chiwenga and South African envoys as talks continue
AFP/Getty Images
Tom Powell17 November 2017

Zimbabwe is facing an uncertain future as long-time President Robert Mugabe reportedly continues to refuse to step down.

The 93-year-old dictator was put under house arrest during a military takeover on Wednesday, although an army spokesman denied talk of a “coup”.

Talks have been on-going between Mr Mugabe, the army chief and South African delegates at his luxurious presidential residence in the capital city Harare.

However, he is refusing to go down without a fight, according to reports, with talks set to continue today while the military remains in charge.

Zimbabwe Military Coup - In pictures

1/18

Mr Mugabe rejected a proposal to step down and allow Emmerson Mnangagwa, who he sacked as vice president earlier this month, to take over on an interim basis.

Most Zimbabweans believe Mr Mnangagwa was dismissed to clear the way for Mr Mugabe’s despised wife Grace to become his successor.

Known as ‘Gucci Grace’ for her lavish spending while the country struggled through decades of economic disaster, she is a key reason why public opinion turned against Africa’s longest serving head of state.

Mr Mugabe is said to be insisting that he remains the “legitimate” head of state, and that if he were to step down in the future his family must have immunity from persecution.

It remains unclear whether army chief General Constantino Chiwenga, who was photographed with the President at his home on Thursday, will agree to his conditions.

Former finance minister Tindai Biti said he has known Mr Mugabe long enough to know he "won't go down without a fight" - adding: "It's only over when it's over."

South Africa President Jacob Zuma, speaking in parliament, said the political situation "very shortly will be becoming clear" but that it was too early to take any firm decision.

Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, more than 100 civil society groups urged Mr Mugabe to peacefully step aside after 37 years and allow the country to hold free and fair elections.

Knox Chitiyo, associate fellow with the Africa programme at Chatham House, warned speculation remains high but the aim was a peaceful, managed transition.

He said the military wants a dignified exit for Mr Mugabe, who has ruled since independence from white minority rule in 1980.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who shared power with Mr Mugabe between 2009 and 2013, said the president must resign and that his party would participate in talks on a transitional mechanism if approached.

Joice Mujuru, a vice president who was fired in 2014, called for "free, fair and credible elections" following a transition arrangement that draws from a range of communities.

Across the country, Zimbabweans were enjoying freedoms they have not had in years.

Soldiers manning the few checkpoints on roads leading into downtown Harare greeted motorists with a smile, searching cars without hostilities and wishing motorists a safe journey.

Amid questions about the whereabouts of first lady Grace Mugabe, one Namibian newspaper, the New Era, reported that the country's foreign minister denied she had fled there.

The US Embassy advised citizens in Zimbabwe to "limit unnecessary movements" as political uncertainty continues.

The UK Government also urged its citizens to avoid large gatherings and any demonstrations.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in